GUWAHATI: A day before the Final of any Tournament carries with it an enormity of pressure and poise. For Mohun Bagan’s Jeje Lalpekhlua however, the day before the Finals of Hero Federation Cup was just another casual Friday, as the Mizo striker was all smiles in the Official Pre-Match Press Conference talking with his usual charm and charisma.

“I don’t have any pressure at all”, Jeje approved. “But that does not hide the fact that we need to perform well tomorrow if we have to win the Hero Fed Cup”

Mohun Bagan clashes swords against underdogs Aizawl FC in the Finals of the Hero Federation Cup 2016 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati tomorrow (May 21, 2016). And Jeje wants to win the coveted Trophy for the fans.

“We (Mohun Bagan) need to win this Trophy for the fans as they have been are source of inspiration. At the same time we need to win the Trophy for Players like Balwant (Singh), Prabir (Das) and Brandon (Fernandes) who picked up injuries during the season”, he said in one breath.

After a moment’s pause, Jeje added, “I am desperate to lift the Hero Federation Cup”

The Mohun Bagan forward has been in stellar form this year, scoring almost at will, in the Hero Federation Cup and in the Hero I-League, but the Mizo striker understands that come tomorrow it will be a different ball game altogether.

“You cannot underestimate Aizawl FC as they deserve to be in the Finals of the Hero Fed Cup. They have showed that they belong here and it is going to be a stern test of our credentials tomorrow”

“Aizawl FC are side which fights throughout the duration of the match and that fighting spirit can prove to be a thorn to our Hero Fed Cup hopes”, Jeje informed.

Flipping through the history books, one might be left stunned to find the fact that Jeje has never played in finals of the Hero Federation Cup, let alone win the silverware.

“I have never played the (Hero) Federation Cup Finals and tomorrow will be my first time”, Jeje states and adds, “I want to change that fact”

“As a Player I want to give it my best shot to help the Team tomorrow to lift the Trophy. It is my target to win the Hero Fed Cup and I am focused on it”

By Joseph Solomon,
AIFF Media Team